Clean Eating

KimberleyWilson2
KimberleyWilson2 Posts: 48 Member
edited November 30 in Food and Nutrition
We just found out my youngest son has allergies to corn, oats, and and rice. Plus he's sensitive to dairy and sugar. My oldest son is allergic to peanuts, tomatoes, and eggs and also sensitive to dairy. So we're going to be switching to clean eating, obviously taking out the food allergens, and sticking with mostly whole foods. We've done this before for short periods of time. I'd very much appreciate some friends who have food restrictions, especially with kids, who understands the struggles and can be a source of inspiration and motivation! :)

Replies

  • ClosetBayesian
    ClosetBayesian Posts: 836 Member
    Define "clean eating"
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    ClosetBayesian wrote: »
    Define "clean eating"

    Isn't " obviously taking out the food allergens, and sticking with mostly whole foods." a description?

    I have a close family member (child) with severe GI issues that requires a very strict diet. Unfortunately I'm not a very motivating person and don't log on here every day so I can't be much help to you, but I do wish you good luck. It can be a struggle.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    By "clean eating" do you mean adding additional restrictions to those required by the allergies? Or do you mean just avoiding the foods that trigger allergies/reactions?
  • WholeFoods4Lyfe
    WholeFoods4Lyfe Posts: 1,518 Member
    I do the majority of my shopping around the outside of the grocery store, so I stick to fresh fruits and veggies and meats. We do dairy in my house, but that is easily avoidable. By making foods yourself from scratch you can easily avoid a lot of the common allergens found in packaged foods. Canned and frozen fruits and veggies are also great choices. Also, more and more stores these days seem to have a "health food" section and so I'll go there to sometimes get "treats" that tend to be void of the most common allergies like dairy, peanuts, gluten, etc. I find that just by avoiding the middle aisles that are laden with pre-packaged foods that our meals naturally fall into what I would consider the "clean eating" category. Just keep in mind that everyone probably has different ideas of what clean eating means to them, you'll just need to figure out what works best for your family and go from there.
  • ClosetBayesian
    ClosetBayesian Posts: 836 Member
    edited March 2016
    Need2Exerc1se wrote: »
    ClosetBayesian wrote: »
    Define "clean eating"

    Isn't " obviously taking out the food allergens, and sticking with mostly whole foods." a description?

    I have a close family member (child) with severe GI issues that requires a very strict diet. Unfortunately I'm not a very motivating person and don't log on here every day so I can't be much help to you, but I do wish you good luck. It can be a struggle.

    That's the second half of the sentence, but does not provide the OP's version of clean eating, which is necessary if people are going to give advice and recipes.
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    Looking into ayurvedic or Indian cooking may give some ideas of what you can make that is nutritious and avoids most of the allergens you mentioned.
  • fitdaisygrrl
    fitdaisygrrl Posts: 139 Member
    janejellyroll wrote: »
    By "clean eating" do you mean adding additional restrictions to those required by the allergies? Or do you mean just avoiding the foods that trigger allergies/reactions?

    I think this touches on what the real struggle here is- it's not about "eating clean" it's about adapting their family's meal plans so that the children can eat healthy, fun foods and not feel trapped by their allergies. I would focus on that- find meals that work for the kids and make food still fun and healthy.

    I was on a restrictive diet as a kid and I remember how much that really sucked. So seriously, keep it fun for them and teach them that just because they have some allergies, food can still be fun. Otherwise, they will resent their diet and that's just no fun for anyone. Look up some meal ideas that fit everyone's needs and focus on what they CAN eat.

    Find ways to make cookies and fun snack foods for lunches and school. Get them involved in cooking and reading labels. Don't over-restrict and pull away all the "fun" foods. Otherwise it will be short-term and they will grow to find ways to sneak foods, which may be ok for sensitivities (ie: you won't notice they drank a pop at a friend's house or had a bag of gummy bears) but could be dangerous for allergies (ie: they think they're just sneaking a brownie and it has nuts in it).
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    edited March 2016
    Poor little ones.

    Wonder what is "not clean" about corn, oats, rice, dairy, sugar, peanuts, tomatoes and eggs? Aren't these foods among the "wholest" you can get? Will you be removing even more foods? You know that for every food you restrict, your meal choices will become exponentially more limited?
  • ClosetBayesian
    ClosetBayesian Posts: 836 Member
    kommodevaran wrote: »
    Poor little ones.

    Wonder what is "not clean" about corn, oats, dairy, sugar, peanuts, tomatoes and eggs? Aren't these foods among the "wholest" you can get? Will you be removing even more foods? You know that for every food you restrict, your meal choices will become exponentially more limited?

    Those are foods her kids are allergic to. Try reading the original post again.
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    ClosetBayesian wrote: »
    kommodevaran wrote: »
    Poor little ones.

    Wonder what is "not clean" about corn, oats, dairy, sugar, peanuts, tomatoes and eggs? Aren't these foods among the "wholest" you can get? Will you be removing even more foods? You know that for every food you restrict, your meal choices will become exponentially more limited?

    Those are foods her kids are allergic to. Try reading the original post again.

    I just did, and I still see no link between clean eating and allergens, sorry.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    KimberleyWilson2 wrote: »
    We just found out my youngest son has allergies to corn, oats, and and rice. Plus he's sensitive to dairy and sugar. My oldest son is allergic to peanuts, tomatoes, and eggs and also sensitive to dairy. So we're going to be switching to clean eating, obviously taking out the food allergens, and sticking with mostly whole foods. We've done this before for short periods of time. I'd very much appreciate some friends who have food restrictions, especially with kids, who understands the struggles and can be a source of inspiration and motivation! :)

    I would say that most of what you listed would be considered "clean eating" by most....

    Sorry to here about the allergies though, my youngest has some food allergies too...but that doesn't make those particular foods "unclean"...most of that stuff is actually really nutritious and good for you.
    ClosetBayesian wrote: »
    kommodevaran wrote: »
    Poor little ones.

    Wonder what is "not clean" about corn, oats, dairy, sugar, peanuts, tomatoes and eggs? Aren't these foods among the "wholest" you can get? Will you be removing even more foods? You know that for every food you restrict, your meal choices will become exponentially more limited?

    Those are foods her kids are allergic to. Try reading the original post again.

    I think the confusion if you will is listing off a bunch off foods that yes, the poor kiddo is allergic too...and then saying we're going to be clean eating because most of those foods would be considered "clean" whole foods by most.
  • WholeFoods4Lyfe
    WholeFoods4Lyfe Posts: 1,518 Member
    kommodevaran wrote: »
    ClosetBayesian wrote: »
    kommodevaran wrote: »
    Poor little ones.

    Wonder what is "not clean" about corn, oats, dairy, sugar, peanuts, tomatoes and eggs? Aren't these foods among the "wholest" you can get? Will you be removing even more foods? You know that for every food you restrict, your meal choices will become exponentially more limited?

    Those are foods her kids are allergic to. Try reading the original post again.

    I just did, and I still see no link between clean eating and allergens, sorry.

    My guess, and OP correct me if I'm wrong, is that by eliminating packaged food she is lessening the chances of cross-contamination and potential exposure for her kids. An allergy is an allergy is an allergy.

  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    michelle172415 wrote: »
    kommodevaran wrote: »
    ClosetBayesian wrote: »
    kommodevaran wrote: »
    Poor little ones.

    Wonder what is "not clean" about corn, oats, dairy, sugar, peanuts, tomatoes and eggs? Aren't these foods among the "wholest" you can get? Will you be removing even more foods? You know that for every food you restrict, your meal choices will become exponentially more limited?

    Those are foods her kids are allergic to. Try reading the original post again.

    I just did, and I still see no link between clean eating and allergens, sorry.

    My guess, and OP correct me if I'm wrong, is that by eliminating packaged food she is lessening the chances of cross-contamination and potential exposure for her kids. An allergy is an allergy is an allergy.

    That was what I thought as well. Better control of ingredients.
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    michelle172415 wrote: »
    kommodevaran wrote: »
    ClosetBayesian wrote: »
    kommodevaran wrote: »
    Poor little ones.

    Wonder what is "not clean" about corn, oats, dairy, sugar, peanuts, tomatoes and eggs? Aren't these foods among the "wholest" you can get? Will you be removing even more foods? You know that for every food you restrict, your meal choices will become exponentially more limited?

    Those are foods her kids are allergic to. Try reading the original post again.

    I just did, and I still see no link between clean eating and allergens, sorry.

    My guess, and OP correct me if I'm wrong, is that by eliminating packaged food she is lessening the chances of cross-contamination and potential exposure for her kids. An allergy is an allergy is an allergy.

    Aha! Cooking from scratch gives you more control. I do that myself. But I don't refer to it as clean eating. Shouldn't this be in the recipe section, asking for recipes (for a, b and c) without x, y and z?
  • KimberleyWilson2
    KimberleyWilson2 Posts: 48 Member
    Ack! Totally did not want this to become a fight, I apologize I didn't define clean eating better. For me clean eating is limit or completely take out prepackaged foods and drinks, especially those with sugar in them. The food allergens are in addition to the clean eating. My oldest son has Asperger's and my youngest son has an "Unspecified learning disability" which both of those can be made worse by sugar, food additives, and food colors. So we're taking out the allergens and most processed foods. As far as the clean eating goes it's an 80/20 rule in our home. We still go out to Denny's on Sunday mornings for breakfast (just avoiding the food allergens, they are mild allergies, nothing life threatening) and we still get treats on special occasions. I have 4 kids so keeping the meals diversified and including things they all like will be challenging. Not to mention all of my kids are in extra curricular activities so most nights we have things we do outside the home so meals also have to be quick! So far we're doing pretty good. The crock pot is my friend. :)
  • KimberleyWilson2
    KimberleyWilson2 Posts: 48 Member
    Also, wasn't necessarily asking for recipes, more asking for others who have similar struggles that would be understanding. More community, less advice if that makes sense.
  • CycleCoast42
    CycleCoast42 Posts: 20 Member
    Try searching under groups or form your own, so you can avoid the vitriol on main forums about clean eating.
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    edited March 2016
    KimberleyWilson2 wrote: »
    We just found out my youngest son has allergies to corn, oats, and and rice. Plus he's sensitive to dairy and sugar. My oldest son is allergic to peanuts, tomatoes, and eggs and also sensitive to dairy. So we're going to be switching to clean eating, obviously taking out the food allergens, and sticking with mostly whole foods. We've done this before for short periods of time. I'd very much appreciate some friends who have food restrictions, especially with kids, who understands the struggles and can be a source of inspiration and motivation! :)

    @KimberleyWilson2 to manage pain from body inflammation 18 months ago I cut out sugar and all forms of grains. It worked very welcome to manage pain without Rx meds and fixed a host of other medical issues.

    BUT I was 63 and knew my time was limited if I did not try something fast. The wife nor the teenagers did it with me so I live in a house floating in carbs. I had to really work to eat more fats to make us for the loss of carb calories. The nice part was after two weeks my cravings for carbs just quickly faded away. If you do not home school I could see food options at school might make things harder.

    With that being said kids are more flexible often in their Way Of Eating if motivated.

    What do your kids think about this radical move?
  • ajsawrie
    ajsawrie Posts: 38 Member
    I hate the term "clean eating".

    Eat things they aren't allergic to. Simple as that.
  • ajsawrie
    ajsawrie Posts: 38 Member
    Also, the science is worse than murky when it comes to food "sensitivities", and even less clear when it comes to links between diet and psychological/neurological disorders such as Aspergers and the like.

    As a general rule, I don't believe people have food "sensitivities". There are certainly people who have an intolerance to certain foods, such as gluten (in the case of Celiac's disease ONLY) and dairy (lactose intolerance). But I have never spoken to a nurse, doctor, dietician, or nutritionist who believes one can truly be "sensitive" to certain foods.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories